Knights left shellshocked as Reds go on rampage

A BLITZKRIEG beginning by Jersey laid the platform for a comfortable win over Doncaster.

The Reds scored four tries in 22 minutes, stunning their visitors from Yorkshire and leaving director of rugby Harvey Biljon a happy man.

“We’d prepared well and the intention was to have an emphasis on speed, and the players delivered that exceptionally well,” he said.

“There was a good balance between the backs and the forwards, and the work that had been put in really paid dividends. The players knew they had under-performed in the last home match against London Scottish and really put that right.”

Jersey captain Jerry Sexton set the tone with a fourth-minute chargedown of Tom James’ attempted clearance and the lock forward showed quick reactions in following up to score. Then the Jersey backs came to the party, with Leroy Van Dam crossing after good hands in midfield and James Newey racing on to Mark Best’s grubber.

When Brett Herron burst through a gap for the bonus point score the Knights were shellshocked, their game punctuated by errors that cost them any chance of clawing back points. Herron clipped over a late penalty to end the half.

Knights were far more competitive after halftime and after numerous phases Sam Olver’s pinpoint cross-kick found Paul Jarvis for the try.

The visitors hoped for some momentum but found the Reds defence in determined mood. The scoreboard remained static until an overthrown attacking lineout bounced kindly for Doncaster replacement Charlie Foley, who had the simplest of finishes.

After a slightly subdued start to the second period, the home side recovered their mojo in the closing stages, with Jack Macfarlane finishing a powerful maul and Herron claiming his second. The visitors had the final word with a lastplay try from Rory Pitman against one of his former clubs.

Knights director of rugby Clive Griffiths was left bitterly disappointed with his side’s start.

“We made five errors inside 10 minutes and were 12 points down, with a mountain to climb,” he said. “The boys showed some grit in the second half, but we have some serious work to do – it’s been a difficult few weeks, and the supporters have been let down, but we’ve bounced back before and we’ll do so again.”